What general themes emerge from the many facets of conservation? Firstly, although conservation is difficult, there is still much that can be achieved. Norman Myers points out the ‘splendid opportunity’ that faces us as we take decisions influencing uncountable trillions of people in the future. He reminds us that there is no greater mistake than to do nothing because we could only do a little. This is an essential point in conservation: individuals can make a difference. We will begin by looking at some conservation successes that highly motivated individuals or teams have brought about. I hope readers of this book will see how they too can make their own contributions to conservation. We shall then examine the future directions conservation may need to take.

Ideals and successes

In the 1980s, Mauritius was seen by many people as a hopeless case for conservation: 97% of its original habitat had been lost. Many species, including the dodo, giant tortoises, and several plants were known to have been exterminated – and untold others lost without trace. Its few remaining forests and several of its remaining endemic birds were highly endangered. Yet through co-operation between the Mauritian Government, Jersey and other zoos, and the dedication of conservationists in Mauritius, the situation is now far from bleak. The Mauritian pink pigeon, parakeet and kestrel and numerous plants have almost certainly been saved. Mauritius provides a model of the impact a committed government and a few dedicated people can have.